Hospital bus service reminder

10:30am Tuesday 1st July 2008

WORCESTERSHIRE County Council is reminding Redditch residents that the 57/58 and 55A/56A evening bus services are still running to and from the town's hospital.

Evening services covering all areas of Redditch, including the Alexandra Hospital, are being operated from 8.15-11.45pm, Monday to Saturday.

Run by local taxi firm, A Touch of Class, the services complement the daily services currently run by Diamond, which stepped in when First Bus cut its service to the Alex.

A Touch of Class initially ran the service as a pilot taxi bus scheme. It has since been developed to provide evening services to the widest possible Redditch catchment area.

Chris Wilson, passenger transport development officer, said: "Since the enhancement of this service, the services have proved extremely popular with members of the public and are regularly carrying nearly 2,000 passengers a month."

And a Matchborough councillor is keen to remind residents that a daytime service is still running to the Alex, thanks to Diamond.

Juliet Brunner said: "I've had so many calls from people who thought that after the 57/58 service from First stopped serving the Alex during the day that there was no alternative, but there is.

"Once Diamond was approached about the cut, they were more than willing to step in and help people out.

"The more people use this service and prove how popular it is, the more likely Diamond will be to consider increasing the frequency of the service."

People wanting to find out more, including timetable information, should call the Worcestershire Hub on 01905 765 765 or visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/bustimetables.

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